Episodes

This episode, hosted by Raynor Carroll, Founder and CEO of ABOP, showcases narratives set in the everyday life of a symphony orchestra, as seen through the eyes of the percussionists. The guests feature ABOP Founders: Douglas Cardwell, who previously served as the timpanist for the New Mexico Philharmonic, and Michael Crusoe, a former timpanist with the Seattle Symphony. Tales include: MTT vs The Helicopters, Maestro lost his toupee, Timpani that rolls on its own, Having dinner during an opera p...

Episode 13. Timpani in the Baroque. This episode, hosted by Raynor Carroll, introduces the kettledrums (timpani) into the symphony orchestra. Guests include: Douglas Cardwell, Former Principal Timpanist, New Mexico Philharmonic; Michael Crusoe, Former Principal Timpanist, Seattle Symphony. The discussion centers on representative audio examples from composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully, Henry Purcell, Johann Sebastian Bach, and George Frideric Handel. Insights into Baroque era drums, mallets, i...

Hosted by Raynor Carroll, this episode offers experience-based advice on teaching percussion. Guests include: Ricky Burkhead, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies, University of Mississippi; Quintin Mallette, Assistant Professor of Percussion, East Carolina University; and Don Parker, Chair and Professor of Music, Georgia College and State University. Part 2 continues the discussion from the pervious episode and includes topics such as: curriculum, working with an institution, a...

Episode 11. The Black Percussion Educator, Part 1. This episode, hosted by Raynor Carroll, offers experience-based advice on teaching percussion. Guests include: Ricky Burkhead, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies, University of Mississippi; Quintin Mallette, Assistant Professor of Percussion, East Carolina University; and Don Parker, Chair and Professor of Music, Georgia College and State University. Topics include: levels of instruction, areas of instruction, qualifications a...

Episode 10 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series features a discussion with six ABOP Protégés: Jakalin Bryant, Torrance Buntyn, Jr., Alexa Clawson, Gabriel Harvey, London Johnson, and Shain McDougald, Jr. Hosted by Torrance, the discussion includes: ABOP-in-LA 2024, National Alliance for Audition Support, National Museum of African American History & Culture, What do you enjoy about music? Why are we in music?, Black classical composers in America, music for vi...

Episode 9 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series features an interview with Christopher Hart, ABOP Advisor, and Manager of Communications and Relationships, Remo Inc. Co-hosted by ABOP Founder Raynor Carroll and ABOP Advisor Don Parker, the discussion focuses on Chris: early years, education, Remo, Paul McCartney, and more! ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black percussionists. www.abop.us

Episode 8 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series features an interview with ABOP Founder and Grant Park Symphony Principal Percussionist, Josh Jones. Hosted by ABOP Founder Raynor Carroll, Josh talks about his first drumset, developing a practice routine, favorite composers, social media presence, embarrassing and memorable moments on stage, ideal gig, and much more. ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black percussio...

Episode 7 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series, features a roundtable discussion with ABOP Founders, Tim Adams, Douglas Cardwell, Michael Crusoe, Josh Jones, Johnny Lee Lane, and the host, Raynor Carroll. This roundtable discussion continues the theme from the first Founders Podcast (Episode 3): Our Respective Journeys; how they differed and how they were the same. This discussion helped to form the foundation for ABOP’s Mentorship Program. ABOP is a nonprofit...

Episode 6 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series, features a conversation with ABOP Protégés, Torrance Buntyn Jr., Jakalin Bryant, London Johnson, and special guest, Andrea Stain. Torrance leads a conversation about their experiences as young Black percussionists, including, how they got started, inspirations, racism, transitions, support, and mental health. ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black percussionists. ww...

ABOP Founder, Michael Crusoe, shares his experiences on and off stage as Principal Timpanist with the Seattle Symphony. Topics include: Symphony, Opera, and Studio work; growing up in St. Louis; interest in classical music; Mr. Crusoe’s teachers; teaching at the University of Washington; memorable and forgettable moments on stage; recording the William Schuman catalog; timpani and mallets used; music as a progressive art; and small drums and wood sticks.

Episode 4 of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) Podcast series features a discussion with ABOP Founder and Mentor, Douglas Cardwell. Along with the host, Raynor Carroll, Mr. Cardwell talks about: Lotus Sound Bath, growing up in Virginia, choosing the drums, classical music, being a Black musician, mentorship, favorite/ideal gigs. ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black percussionists. www.abop.us

The Founders, all Black classical musicians, share their stories on the factors and elements that aided and guided them in reaching their goals.

Part 2 of a two-part conversation with Professor Johnny Lee Lane. Prof Lane, known to many as one of the nation's foremost college percussion educators, talks about the US Percussion Camp, how he connects with and prepares his students, and his thoughts on being inducted into the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame. Co-hosted by Raynor Carroll and Dr. Don Parker. ABOP is the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of ...

Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Professor Johnny Lee Lane. Prof Lane, known to many as one of the nation's foremost college percussion educators, talks about his early influences, education, and positions with Tennessee State University, and Eastern Illinois University. Co-hosted by Raynor Carroll and Dr. Don Parker. Please subscribe and send comments to info@abop.us ABOP is the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generat...